stevelup, I think he wasn't actually holding the controls. When I changed my focus for about half a millisecond from the point on the runway I was aiming for (tunnel vision, eat your heart out) and glanced at him, he had his hands on his lap, fingers hovering around the stick but not touching them. It's just I don't believe I can do it yet, so it must be him!
IO540, yup, that makes sense. My instructor does keep chopping and changing from circuits to PFL to practicing speed and height control. I was getting frustrated that we couldn't just concentrate on one, but after the last lesson, I realise that the change helps break the bad habits that I was repeating, and the combination of all three is really practicing the same skills I need anyway! Just, doh, I wish I could do it already :-)